No More Fragmentation: Apple Pushes Developers to Create for iOS 7

Given the drastic visual overhaul that Apple brought with the latest iOS 7 operating system, Apple is now forcing developers to adopt iOS 7’s visual UI for their apps. The company has advised iOS developers that all apps submitted after February 1, 2014 must be optimized for iOS 7 and built using Xcode 5. The move would at the very least remove visual fragmentation in the way apps look and feel for the iOS operating system.

This is unsurprising given the push that Apple has given iOS 7 to ensure that it runs on any iOS devices–iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch–that is capable and compatible with the software update. Devices that are compatible and are switched on to WiFi will automatically download the latest iOS build and install it without requiring user intervention, a forceful move done by Apple.

The new software brings changes to the design element as well as additional and welcomed features. It features a more clean, flat appearance, and an updated more minimalist keyboard. Apps that are updated for iOS 7 keep the consistency of the operating system and don’t create a jarring experience whereas opening an app that was designed for iOS 6 feels like night and day next to an iOS 7 app. For instance, the Google Voice app, which is optimized to fill the longer 4-inch Retina Display of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s, feels more archaic when opened on an iOS 7 device as it uses old design elements as well as Apple’s old software input keyboard.

With the new software guidelines, the entire experience on an iOS device will feel more unified and consistent. First-party apps from Apple as well as third-party apps will feel like they were created without any discord.

Tech enthusiast in Silicon Valley enjoying the possibilities of ubiquitous connectivity, information sharing, and collaboration enabled by mobile broadband. You can contact Chuong on Twitter @chuongvision or search +chuongvision on Google+.

If Microsoft required its users to stop developing for Windows versions older than 8.1, they would be hauled into court by government, accused on monopolistic practices. I guess you have to be a deranged, genetically-defective fruityco fanboi to think it’s okay for Apple to do the same.

My wife purchased a new, 4th Gen. IPOD Touch for me as a gift about 18 months ago for about $275. We think Apple doesn’t support their products with a satisfactory contractual warranty, but if Apple knowingly sells a product at this price point — which they know will be “rendered useless” within this short amount of time — as a result of their own “planned”software enhancements”– I believe they violate an “Implied Warranty” in which their customers expect their product will have a much longer,useful product life if the product is used as described and does not have “normal or expected” mechanical problems. A liability should exist in these circumstances to recover the cost of the loss of use of the IPOD for the diminished expected useful life of the product when the customers are not informed at the time of purchase.